Two killed, 3 hurt in fire on Buffalo's East Side

Two people died in an early-morning house fire on Buffalo's East Side.

Author:
Michael Wooten, David McKinley

Published:
2:55 PM EST February 21, 2016

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two men died in an early-morning fire on Buffalo's East Side. The fire started around 4 a.m. Friday on Humber Avenue near Erie County Medical Center.

One of the men who died, Demetrius Johnson, 24, was a father who died while saving his family members. After carrying a child from burning home, he went back inside to find his son and did not make it out.

The other man who died was Juan Montanez, 49.

Dr. Kathryn Bass at Women and Children's Hospital said the eight-year-old victim, Treasure Brighon, has burns on more than 90 percent of her body. She was flown to a special burn unit at Shriner's Hospital in Cincinnati where she is listed in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. On Sunday, her aunt said the girl would have her first surgery on Monday. Doctors are only giving her a 20 percent chance of survival.

Two other children, three-year-old Demetrius Thomas Johnson and 15-month-old Demaris Johnson, were taken to Women and Children's Hospital. Demetrius suffered from smoke inhalation. As of Saturday afternoon, he was listed in stable condition in the pediatric intensive care unit, according to a hospital spokesperson. Demaris is said to be in good shape. He was treated and released from the emergency room at Women and Children's Hospital on Friday.

Two firefighters were also treated for minor burns at ECMC but have since been released.

At a Friday afternoon press conference, Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield said fire officials continue their investigation into the cause. Whitfield said multiple chaplains were at the scene to counsel first responders and neighbors.

The building was unstable, so heavy equipment was brought in. It was eventually used to demolish what was left.

Whitfield said it could take some time to find the cause. He also said he does not know if there were any working smoke detectors in the home.